SCRAPED KNEES & CLIMBING TREES // letting kids be kids

I was about six or seven when I broke my first bone. I fractured my left elbow falling from the monkey bars; I probably only dropped a few feet, but it was the seventies, so it was probably straight on to concrete.

Over the next 15 years I added to the injury list with a second fractured elbow (the right one this time), a broken wrist, cracked heel, ruptured ankle ligament, a broken rib, and the first of eight (and counting) shoulder dislocations.

But, looking back, I don’t feel feel sorry for myself, I feel sorry for my poor mum. Can you imagine having to see your child in that much pain, that often? *shudders*

My girls *touch wood* haven’t showed any sign of following in my accident-prone footsteps, but it doesn’t stop me imagining the worst, because I know how quickly life can take you from the playground to the A&E waiting room.

So it’s quite a battle for me to find that balance between stopping them from doing what I did, and letting them just be kids. I don’t want them to be nervous children, or too scared to try anything new – one of the things I love the very most about them is their fearlessness and adventurous spirits.

I want them to climb trees, and roly-poly down hills and leap into lakes. I want them to feel adrenalin coursing through their veins, and scream with that intoxicating mix of fear and excitement, and experience that feeling of achievement when they conquer something they didn’t think you could.

I want them to live.

Which means I spend a LOT of time standing next to playgrounds with a pasted-on smile, pretending like I’m not totally freaking out as they dangle from ropes and scramble up nets, and sprint across suspension bridges.

I shout encouragement, and give them the thumbs-up, and congratulate them on how brave they are, but what I really want to do is scream: ‘Get down from there THIS INSTANT!’ Then bundle them into the car, take them home, lock the door and breeeeeeeathe…

Take these photos, for example. We were wandering around a gorgeous National Trust property when the girls spotted this gnarly old tree. ‘TREE CLIMBING!’ Big Sis shouted, running straight over and scaling the lower branches.

Of course then Lil Sis had to follow her, refusing my (slightly panicked) offers to help her up, or hold her hand.

For 20 torturous minutes I stood and cringed watched as they wound themselves round the knotty trunk, and shuffled along its twisted boughs. I cursed every episode of 24 Hours In A&E I’d ever watched, and every magazine feature I’d ever written about kids falling out of windows (you’d be shocked how often it happens).

They were having a blast, while I was in a strange kind of hell only truly understood by parents. And while I loved the fact they were having a blast, I was simultaneously counting the minutes until I could entice them down with the promise of a slice of cake in the café.

22 Comments

Ah luckily as a child I haven’t injured any bones which was shocking cos I was climbing trees, jumping off walls without a care in the world lol XLaaLaa recently posted…Hylamide High-Efficiency Face Cleaner

Oh I so feel like this! Especially at the park when my little one is running around. I was never an adventurous child myself so it’s hard seeing my little one doing things I see as too dangerous but at same time want him to be able to live, have fun and be fearless.

I am not a parent but I know what you mean, having had a lot of experience with kids it is nerve wrecking to contemplate letting them do their own thing but it has to be done. It is scary though.Ana De- Jesus recently posted…The History of Jewellery Part II

I was like you! First break at 2 when I lifted and dropped a stone bird table on my foot! I have broken all sorts of bones through my adventures and misadventures and if I ever had children, I would let them explore too – they would be doing it with me anyway as I still haven’t stopped!

I feel the same even when I’m not a parent! To see kids enjoying themselves climbing trees and doing their own little obstacles is so lovely but there’s always that worry!Kira recently posted…My Next Big Adventure!

Oh all the yes to this! I would hate to be the parent that couldn’t let my children BE children and explore, get messy and just enjoy. H xHarriet from Toby & Roo recently posted…“Scent freaks” unite with Organic Aromas.

I can definitely relate to this. Both of my children love to explore and have their own adventures, as all kids do, it’s their way of learning. I love watching them experience life and have fun but I do have a constant worry in my stomach as they climb trees, run along a wall and chase fairly aggressive geese. It’s natural for us to worry just as natural as it is for them to get a few knocks and scrapes, it’s all part of growing up and like you I just want them to live, enjoy their childhood, because at some point all of this fun disappears and is replaced with a different kind of life x